Oh Jules forgive my post on my site to you .....I am so sorry not to have known of your hubbies departure.  You know from the support you have given me how well I understand your current situation and my heart goes out to you.  My site tells of my joirney through this uncharted place you find yourself in.  It is difficult but you will come through.

All my thoughts and a big virtual hug

Ian x

Hi Ian

Just lovely to see your name appear on my thread and suspect its just as hard for you to post but I really appreciate the message.  It was a long three years for hubby and I take much comfort in the fact that he is now free from the clutches of his disease which took his happiness away.  I am surrounded by the love of my family and friends (and the ongoing support of virtuality buddies) and now, like you, my life must be lived to the best of my ability. Early days still but so many memories to cherish and share with others - a few late nights of 'story-telling' along the way.

Sending hugs and best wishes and hope all is well with you and Julie in your new life.  Jules x

Hi Jules,

I just want to mirror what Jo has said and sharing her belief that your colleagues have no doubt been and will continue to look after you after your return to work.

My return has been somewhat hectic which I expected but I will have to have a word with the guys who were taking care of things in my abscence as problems were caused that didn't need to be there.  Hey Ho!

Take care friend.

Garf. xx

Hir Brian

Had a long walk yesterday morning visiting my usual Farmer's Market (have a new cheese to try - goats cheese with garlic and nettles!!) and did a bit of shopping before having a French Manicure as a little treat!(my excuse is that this will protect my nails upon return to work ha ha).

First day back was fine; everyone as expected very supportive (protective) and not too busy so able to 'find my feet' with new promotions etc.  My friend who does not work Mondays met me afterwards and we went to try a new teashop (named The Wonky Teapot).  It was their first day and though a bit at sixes and sevens still enjoyed our natter over tea and toasted teacake. Everything felt strangely surreal but am sure once back into usual routine it will be like it was before and its another hurdle breached so to speak.

Will visit Mum tomorrow morning after my GP appointment and then seeing 'Mr Probate' in the early evening when hopefully he will take all the notes/paperwork he requires to take things forward (not exactly a restful day off but handy to be able to fit things in when not working).

Take care and all the very best to you and MRs B.  Kind thoughts Jules x

Thanks Kathy, all went okay and its good to be back into some sort of weekly routine again and dealing with 'normal' daily stuff.  Pretty chilly today but dry and having enjoyed snack with my friend after work am now cocooned in front of the fire with yet another cuppa and trying to decide on what to have for dinner (treated myself to some 'osterich' (apologies for any veggies out there) and fish when I went shopping over the weekend so spoilt for choice.

Hope all is well with you and the family and its not too hot to be enjoying the outside space (my daughter very envious that you have koalas close by (they got engaged whilst on holiday in Australia (staying with friends) and she did the usual tourist thing of holding one and has been smitten ever since!

Take care and thanks again for your support.  Big hugs  Jules

Thanks George, Everyone on the forum has been great and I am finding it very humbling to have so many lovely people, who are going through so much themselves, looking out for me too.

Hope the docs have been able to make you a little more comfortable and give Ria a pat from me.  Take care. Hugs  Jules  x

Thanks for thinking of me Max.  Am sure you have a lot going on in  your head at present but hope you are giving yourself some special treatment and are surrounded by  TLC. As always in my thoughts and sending hugs.  Jules x

Thanks Ian, it was quite a slow and easy return (staff wanting to catch up and those I had not already seenduring previous 'drop ins' having a chat) as Monday reasonably quiet.   Another  hurdle crossed and so far am managing quite well (bet then no one has upset me yet ha ha). 

As to the hands up re Widow Benefit our Probate rep.(now fully appointed and visiting again tomorrow to collect paperwork) also mentioned it and it is already through along with the bereavement benefit which I get weekly for a year. Am using it to get some of the important things done that have been on hold for a few years so come the Summer should be more secure in our back garden!

Hope you and Julie enjoyed your wedding day (not doubt feels like a bit of distant memory now) and you are enjoying your new life together - are the dog and cat talking yet?

Sending hugs and good wishes. Hugs  Jules x

Hi Jo

Lovely to have so many post from all my buddies when I logged on.  It is good to get back into some sort of routine (and know what day of the week it is!!) and everyone at work was, as expected, very protective - so sweet and appreciated I can tell you.  Remains to be seem what happens if/when I get a stressy customer but felt ok being back and getting up to speed with new promotions/layout as I had missed the post Christmas changes. In 3 weeks I have holiday time to finish up (very strange handing in dates on the day I have returned after a month off but this has to be taken before 1st April when our new holiday year begins).By this time all the 'unfinished' aspects surrounding hubby's passing will be finalised and the hurdles to cross should be fewer (I am just rambling again sorry but the walls do not answer back).

Hope  you doing okay and that you had a peaceful weekend though not sure ot was good dog walking weather!  Take care and sending hugs.  Jules x

Hi Garf,

Hope you can find this response amongst the plague of ladybird responses (apparently talking is good therapy so have been rambling to all who will listen). Work was fine though a bit of catching up on new layouts/promotions which was to be expected.  Expect you were anticipating a hectic return yourself after the busman'sholiday but sometimes the lack of commonsense that surrounds us these days can be frustrating.  Hope you have 'sorted them all out now'.

Will keep my fingers crossed that your furniture delivery goes without a hitch second time round . I am off to see GP in the morning (hopefully she will be happy to  leave me alone after this appointment) and then visiting Mum tomorrow (normal routine now resumed) and have a meeting in the evening (so hoping to be able to relax in the afternoon).

Take care and hope your therapy is going okay. Hugs  Jules x

Hi Jules,

So pleased your first day back went okay. With regard to the cheese with nettles in it, hope you didnt get "stung" if you'll parden the pun. Mrs B like's the five counties cheese but as allergic to dairy products cant have it any more. A year of two ago Mrs B and I were out for a drive and we came across this shop named The Wonkey Donkey". It was a second hand shop and instead of a rocking horse, it had a rocking donkey in the window which I suppose was a bit wonkey lol. Mrs B and I couldnt stop laughing for ages.

Pleased the staff at work are looking after you. Sounds like you have another busy day tommorow and wish you well with Mr Probate. Brother in law has now finished his chemo and has also seen his specialist who seems very pleased with his progress. He has again told him that allthough they cant cure the cancer, many men in his situation live for several years which has cheered everyone up. Dont know if I mentioned it but my psa has only gone up very slighly and is still very low so very pleased with this. At my cancer meeting last Monday who should be sitting near me but my oncologist who remembered me and was also pleased to hear my psa result.

I have just heard from my daughter in law that my youngest grandson will have to have an operation on his tummy. After leaving the hospital today, she asked him how he felt about the op and he replied "I'm looking forward to it". She was surprised and asked him why and he replied, "Becuase it will make me feel better". It brought a lump to my throaght, he is so brave. These childrem put us to shame at times.

Anyway have rambled enough for today, take care Jules, all the best to you and your family, Brian.

Hi Brian

Really pleased to read that both your PSA is still looking good (there must be a little sigh of relief each time you get your results) and that your Brother in Law has benefitted from the chemo and am sure he is feeling a lot better now - long may he stay 'steady'.

Your youngest grandson is . I reckon. a chip of the old block and think we could learn a lot by following the way they think (though I suppose we did when we were that age)-.  His is a 'Super-Trouper' and when the op happens do hope it helps make him far more comfortable.

Have woken to a light dusting of snow which makes the garden look pretty but means digging out the 'heavy trainers' for the walk to the docs this morning (then to Mums). Robins and blue *** visited very early (an extra helping of shredded suet awaits) and for some mad reason took a dip in the bird bath brrrrr.  Stay warm my forum buddy and hope you and Mrs B have a restful day.  Hugs  Jules x

Hi Brian

Really pleased to read that both your PSA is still looking good (there must be a little sigh of relief each time you get your results) and that your Brother in Law has benefitted from the chemo and am sure he is feeling a lot better now - long may he stay 'steady'.

Your youngest grandson is . I reckon. a chip of the old block and think we could learn a lot by following the way they think (though I suppose we did when we were that age)-.  His is a 'Super-Trouper' and when the op happens do hope it helps make him far more comfortable.

Have woken to a light dusting of snow which makes the garden look pretty but means digging out the 'heavy trainers' for the walk to the docs this morning (then to Mums). Robins and blue *** visited very early (an extra helping of shredded suet awaits) and for some mad reason took a dip in the bird bath brrrrr.  Stay warm my forum buddy and hope you and Mrs B have a restful day.  Hugs  Jules x